Temperature in the workplace and respiratory health status: an analytical epidemiological survey in Italy

<bold>Background:</bold> extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, have been associated with increased respiratory morbidity. <bold>Aim:</bold> to assess the association between perceived temperature in the workplace and respiratory health in an Italian general population sample, within the BEST project (INAIL, ID 56/2022). <bold>Methods:</bold> in 1991-93, 2122 workers/ex workers living in Pisa/Cascina were investigated. They filled in a questionnaire on risk factors and respiratory health status, and performed a spirometry. The temperature perceived by the subjects in the last employment was grouped into: a) normal/cool; b) cold; c) warm/hot. We performed: logistic regression analyses of respiratory symptoms/diseases (dependent variables) and temperature in the workplace (independent variable), unadjusted and adjusted for host/environmental risk factors; unadjusted and adjusted analysis of variance for spirometry parameters. <bold>Results:</bold> 22.7%, 5.0% and 72.3% of subjects perceived the work environment normal/cool, cold and warm/hot, respectively. Regardless of the longest work sector, warm/hot temperatures were associated with asthma diagnosis (OR 1.61, 95%CI 0.99-2.64, borderline), COPD symptoms (OR 1.36, 95%CI 1.02-1.81), dyspnea (OR 1.35, 95%CI 1.02-1.78); cold temperatures with asthma diagnosis (OR 3.33, 95%CI 1.62-6.88). No significant differences in spirometry parameters were found among temperature groups. <bold>Conclusions:</bold> prevention policies are advisable to reduce workers' exposure to extreme temperatures, with particular attention to subjects with asthma and COPD, also considering the increase in intensity and frequency of heat waves resulting from climate change.